WILLEMSTAD – A tenant at the Soltuna agricultural site will not be required to vacate his home or farmland, following a ruling by the Court of Appeal that overturns an earlier eviction order.
The dispute centered on claims by Soltuna that the tenant had failed to meet agreed production standards. Under the arrangement, the tenant paid part of the rent in cash and part in kind through agricultural output. Soltuna argued that production levels had been insufficient for several years.
The tenant, however, contested those claims, stating that his reduced output was due to shortcomings on the part of Soltuna. He cited issues such as limited access to irrigation water, problems with the supply of papaya plants, and damaged fencing that led to theft of crops.
At Soltuna, farmers are provided with land as well as access to water, including treated wastewater used for irrigation. Under the agreement, the tenant was required to make use of this system for cultivation.
A lower court had previously ruled in favor of Soltuna and ordered the tenant’s eviction. However, the Court of Appeal has now reversed that decision, allowing the tenant to remain on the property and continue working the land.
The ruling marks a significant turn in the case and highlights ongoing tensions around agricultural agreements and responsibilities between landowners and tenants on the island.